In our latest roundup of recent developments from across the construction industry, we look at the rise of AI, the latest growth figures published by the Office for National Statistics and the Construction Leadership Council’s new Mental Health Consultation.
AI on the rise in construction
The use of AI in the construction industry has risen rapidly, with the technology being implemented across a variety of different processes.
Recent research carried out by the Association for Project Management (APM), published by PBC Today, found that AI use in construction projects had jumped from 15% to 75% in just two years.
82% of respondents who were already using AI in construction projects said that they were using the technology more frequently than they anticipated five years ago, with only 18% saying they used it less than anticipated. 62% of people also said they believed that current AI tools would have a positive impact on the sector.
Resource allocation was one of the leading uses of AI in construction, as well as reporting and dashboarding, risk analysis and forecasting, task and schedule automation and stakeholder communications.
Latest construction growth figures
In its latest monthly construction update, the ONS estimated that total construction output grew by 0.6% in the three months leading up to July, with four out of the nine sectors growing during this period.
The main contributors to this increase were private housing repair and maintenance (3.8% growth) and infrastructure new work (2.1% growth).
The Federation of Master Builders has also shared positive figures, reporting a 25% increase in workloads in the first half of 2025, a 34% increase in construction enquiries and a 25% increase in employment.
Construction skills shortages continue to cause headaches
Despite positive workload statistics, the Federation of Master Builders also shared figures that reinforced how skills shortages continue to pose a major problem for the construction industry.
In its new SME State of Trade Survey, the organisation shared that 64% of respondents found it difficult to recruit staff knowledgeable on new building safety regimes, with 59% saying they struggled to recruit staff with modern sustainable building practices. Carpenters, roofers and plumbers were highlighted as the trades facing particularly high demand for suitable talent.
Construction Leadership Council (CLC) launches Mental Health Consultation
The Construction Leadership Council has published a new consultation as part of its ongoing efforts to improve mental health across the sector.
Back in July, the CLC’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing Summit outlined mental health as one of the organisation’s priority focus areas, with a goal to create an environment that fosters better mental health for those working in the UK construction industry.
You can read more and contribute to the CLC’s mental health consultation here.